Rabbi Merle E. Singer | Words with Merle

I begin our story by asking you to examine your life, those moments when challenges were turned into opportunities, or possibly when opportunities were left undiscovered. Here we are in 2022, embracing a new reality and learning new ways of daily survival while holding onto our dreams. Today, how are you helping one another? 

What we have experienced since the onset of the pandemic has left us silent, afraid, dreams destroyed, lives lost, and facing rigors one could not have fathomed. This pandemic has also enabled us to grow new strengths and new wisdom and encouraged us to become stronger. Yes, there were silver linings during this tragic time.

We need the courage to deal with what keeps us from living our dreams, hopes, and the future we wish to enjoy for ourselves and our children. Rebbe Nachman insists, “Kol ha’olam Kulo Gesher Tsar me’od Veha’ikar Lo’ Lifached Klal”: The whole world is a narrow bridge. The essence is not to be afraid to cross it. Sometimes, the bridge will seem too narrow, leaving us feeling lost, confused, and scared. Yet, despite the afflictions of this pandemic or any life challenge, hope comes as our reward for creating a future more significant than ours.

The challenge we faced, and for some, may still be navigating, is a time that forces us to reflect on our life – its meaning, its brevity, its legacy, its unfinished business, and what is truly significant. In this very time, it is now that what we do matters. Our choices are how we respond to life situations and, more importantly, how we support and show compassion for our friends, family, and strangers. 

Despite limitations imposed by circumstances, there remains hope for our dreams of a brighter today and the future, for that is our birthright. We must stay optimistic about opportunities, goals, dreams, and wishes. No matter who or where we are, we are all together. Today, and every day moving forward, this is our time as a community, as a temple family, to help restore hope and faith in each other. So, let us set aside the judgment and put forth our hearts of kindness and compassion so we may all rise together. 

I ask you, from your life challenges, what have you learned? Where will it take you? How have you helped others? 

See life predicaments as the button to restart your journey as you regain hope and confidence. Don’t let the injustice of this pandemic, political times, or life matters take control of you or your hopes and strength. When we help others, we ultimately help ourselves. Often, it’s the act of Tikun Olam that can help us feel better. At times of such political challenges or personal struggles, we are looking for answers and help, but when we turn that into an opportunity to support others, our purpose and meaning for moving forward are enhanced. Now more than ever, we must believe and act with care and concern for everyone. When we help our fellow neighbors, we raise their hope, and our hope strengthens. 

Seeking to give hope to others rewards us with reasons to move forward, and that’s the point of survival. For that, we must remember our life is reflected in our dreams, which ultimately become the foundation of our hope. Never forget that hope is your birthright. Share that hope with your friends and strangers worldwide, as someone will always need it more than we do. 

So, I challenge you to be the beacon of light by removing idle thoughts and replacing them with compassion and care for yourself and others.

If we cannot stand by our family or friends in the good and evil, what do we as a community have left? It is in our religious value to help and to never stop aiding so that we remain the substantial population we are known for.